I make this air fryer sesame cauliflower when I want something crispy and packed with flavor without all the oil. It’s a light, crunchy, and healthier version of fried cauliflower with a delicious sesame sauce. It’s perfect for snacking or even as a fun side dish!
Fun Variations:
If you want to add more flavors, try mixing in a bit of sriracha or chili paste to the sauce for a spicy kick! You can also switch up the sauce by using teriyaki instead of sesame, or try adding a splash of lime juice for some tang. And if you’re feeling extra creative, sprinkle crushed peanuts on top for a bit of crunch.
What You Need to Make It:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray
For the Sesame Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
How to Make It:
- I start by preheating the air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, I mix the flour, water, salt, and pepper to make a light batter.
- I dip each cauliflower floret into the batter, shaking off any excess before placing them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- I spray the cauliflower with a light coat of cooking spray and cook for about 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the florets are golden and crispy.
- While the cauliflower is cooking, I make the sesame sauce. I mix the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer. Then I add the cornstarch mixture, stirring until the sauce thickens.
- When the cauliflower is ready, I toss it in the sesame sauce until it’s fully coated.
- I top it all off with sesame seeds and green onions for extra flavor and crunch.
More Sides & Snacks:
- Homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe
- Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
- Sticky Chicken Meatballs
- Refreshing Blueberry Mojito
- Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
Serving and Storage Tips:
- This cauliflower is best served right away so it stays crispy. Serve it as an appetizer, snack, or a tasty side with rice or noodles.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop it back in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain that crunch.
- For an extra fancy touch, you can garnish with extra green onions or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Tips:
- For extra crispiness, make sure the cauliflower is spaced out in the air fryer basket so the pieces don’t stick together.
- If you want a gluten-free version, you can use chickpea flour instead of all-purpose flour for the batter.
- To make the sauce even thicker, just add a bit more cornstarch to the mixture.
air fryer sesame cauliflower
I make this air fryer sesame cauliflower whenever I’m craving a crispy, flavorful snack or side. It’s a perfect healthier twist on the usual fried version, with a light sesame sauce that makes it really tasty.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray
For the Sesame Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water for thickening
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
- First I preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
- In a bowl I mix the flour, water, salt, and pepper to make a batter.
- I dip each cauliflower floret into the batter shaking off any excess, then place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- I spray the cauliflower lightly with cooking spray and cook for 12-15 minutes shaking the basket halfway through, until the florets are golden and crispy.
- While the cauliflower cooks I make the sesame sauce by combining the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan. I bring it to a simmer and add the cornstarch mixture, stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Once the cauliflower is done I toss it in the sesame sauce until each piece is well-coated.
- I garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.
